NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

On Jan. 4, 2011, the Hinode satellite viewed an annular solar eclipse. (NASA/Hinode/XRT)
Multiple solar flares on the sun. (JAXA)

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› Link: NASA Solar Physics
› Link: Solar Cycle Prediction The sun is the largest and most important object in our solar system -- a huge glowing ball that provides, light, heat and energy to our Earth. However, our beneficial space neighbor is also capable of some stellar temper tantrums. How often do these "tantrums" occur, and what other quirky behaviors does our temperamental sun have in its bag of tricks?

On Thursday, Oct. 27, Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, a solar scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, answered your questions about how our sun works and produces phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares and solar storms -- hot topics that have communication and health implication for everyone on Earth.

› Chat Transcript (PDF, 312 Kb)

More About Chat Expert Dr. Jonathan Cirtain



Janet Anderson, 256-544-6162
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
janet.l.anderson@nasa.gov